Church of St-Pierre of Collonges-la-Rouge

Church of St-Pierre of Collonges-la-Rouge : Michelin's recommendations

Fortified in the 16C, this red sandstone church originally dates from the 11C and the 12C. It still keeps some traces of its defensive architecture, such as the great square donjon which has a defence room that communicates with a wall walk. However, its original feature is, above all, the tympanum made of Turenne limestone. Its white colour contrasts with the red sandstone used in the rest of the building. The tympanum is most probably the work of sculptors from the Toulouse School. It is made up of two different registers. One represents Christ with a halo among some angels and the other, the Virgin with the twelve apostles. Another curious feature in this church, and a good example of the Limousin Romanesque style, is the 12C church tower which has two levels, a square plane with windows in the middle of the arch whilst two other levels with an eight-sided plane are flanked by gables. Finally, the inside has additions form different periods such as the 14C and 15C side chapels.